2005 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 137 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 30 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingJul 21, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.
Campaign 09V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 17, 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
Campaign 05V479000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsSep 12, 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 05V395000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkages, tie rod assemblyApr 28, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THREADED PORTIONS OF THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLY'S LEFT AND RIGHT INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN INTERNAL CRACKS IN THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE.
IF THE INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WAS TO BREAK AS A RESULT OF THE INTERNAL CRACK, THE TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THIS WOULD PREVENT STEERING CONTROL OF THAT FRONT WHEEL BY THE SEPARATED TIE ROD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE BEGINNING ON APRIL 8, 2005, AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. HYUNDAI WILL ARRANGE TO PICK UP AND RETURN THEIR VEHICLES AFTER REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 05V187000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Apr 17, 2022
Passenger airbag sensor registers when someone sits down, but randomly turns off and displays “Passenger Airbag Off” light for a couple minutes before turning off again. Vehicle was inspected by an authorized Hyundai service center and no codes were produced. No indicated problems prior to the first incident.
Electrical system, May 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF WHICH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION AS WELL AS THE SPEEDOMETER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS AN INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,510.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 11, 2014
WHEN I ARRIVED HOME THAT NIGHT I THOUGHT I HAD LEFT MY LIGHTS ON BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I CHECKED MY LIGHT SWITCH AND ALL MY LIGHTS WERE OFF EXCEPT FOR MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY WAY TO FIX IT AND I FOUND THE RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. *TR
Electrical system, May 27, 2014
MY CAR STALLS. THIS FIRST STARTED HAPPENING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR WOULD STALL BUT WOULD START RIGHT UP. NOW IT IS HAPPENING WHEN I TURN INTO PARKING LOTS OR MAKING A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. MY CAR STALLS, I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT STARTS BACK UP AGAIN. THE MOST FRIGHTENING TIME WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET ABOUT 40-45 MPH AND MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS VERY SCARED THAT SOMEONE WOULD REAR-END ME. THE PROBLEM IS IT HAPPENS INTERMEDIATELY. THE MECHANICS CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET IT TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EXCEPT TRADE IT IN WHICH I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 4, 2010
I BOUGHT IT FROM HYUNDAI DEALER ON DEC 16, 2009 WHICH ONLY HAD 31000 MILES THEN. IT STALLED THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE WEEK JUST ONE WEEK AFTER I BROUGHT. ONE STALLING HAPPENED WHEN BACKING UP AND ONE TIME HAPPENED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND ONE TIME WHEN LEAVING A STOP. I BROUGHT IT TO DEALER ON DECEMBER 31,2009. THEIR REPORT INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND A CODE FOR RANDOM MISS FIRE AND THEY REPLACE SPARK PLUG WIRES. THINGS TEMPORARILY WENT WELL AFTER THAT. THEN THE CAR TOTALLY DIED ON ONE MORNING, AROUND FEB 10,2010. THEN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE AND DEALER CHANGED THE BATTERY. BUT THE STALLING PROBLEM CAME BACK THIS WEEK AND IT HAD HAPPENED TWICE. ONE HAPPENED WHEN TURNING AROUND AT PARKING LOT AND ANOTHER WAS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING AROUND ON LOCAL ROAD. I AM GOING TO GIVE DEALER FOR ANOTHER FIX TOMORROW. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2009, fire
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 7 HOURS. THE LEFT TAILLIGHT AND BUMPER AREA AS WELL AS THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE IS FIRE DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD WIPER, WHEEL WELL, FRONT LEFT TIRE, LEFT TAILLIGHT, BUMPER, TRUNK LID AND SPOILER. THE STRIP THAT RUNS ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROOF FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE REAR WINDOW AND THE WIRE UNDER IT HAS DAMAGE BY THE REAR WINDOW. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2009
BATTERY CHARGE KEEPS DRAINING IN A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 3X, ALTERNATOR WORKS WELL BUT IF THE CAR SITS WITHOUT STARTING FOR LONGER THAN 24 HRS IT WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY HAS NOT BEEN FROZEN AND HOLDS A CHARGE WHEN TESTED INDEPENDENTLY, VEHICLE IS USED ONLY FOR PAVED DRIVING, AND WE DO NOT USE SALT ON THE ROADS HERE DURING THE WINTER, ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE TESTED FINE BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO A SHOP FOR A FULL DIAGNOSTIC AT THIS TIME, THIS ISSUE BEGAN BACK IN OCTOBER 08 WITH NO WARNING AND HAS CONTINUED THROUGH THE WINTER AND NOW IN SPRING. IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE EXPLANATION? I AM NOT A MECHANIC AND SO WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER DOING ANY WORK BESIDES MINOR MAINTENANCE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 6, 2007
AFTER FINISHING DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING KEYS FROM IGNITION THE CAR WILL DING, THE SAME DING THAT HAPPENS IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN THE IGNITION. IF I EXIT THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO LOCK THE DOORS AND ARM THE ALARM WITH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY THE CAR WILL NOT LOCK OR ARM THE ALARM, IF I TRY TO MANUALY USE THE KEYS TO LOCK THE VEHICLE IT UNLOCKS THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN FIX THIS IS IF I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND THEN TURN IT OFF. THIS OCCURS TOTALY RANDOMLY AND OCCURS ABOUT ONCE EVERY MONTH. IT STARTED ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE CAR IN MARCH 2006. ITS NOT THAT BIG OF A HASSLE NOW EXCEPT SOMETIME I MIGHT GO TO LOCK THE CAR AND THINK IT LOCKED WHEN IT DIDN'T. I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE THE START OF A BIGGER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM ALSO HAVING THE AIRBAG ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING. *AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2006
WITH THE A/C ON THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM BRIEFLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES JUST FOR A MOMENT. A COUPLE OF TIMES THE HAVE GONE ALL THE WAY OUT BRIEFLY. THE LIGHTS WILL DIM ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE THINK I'M FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WITH THE A/C ON, THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE A/C COMPRESSOR CUTS ON IT TAKES A LOT OF VOLTAGE TO TURN IT ON, AND THE HEADLIGHTS DIM BRIEFLY. DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN EVERY HALF MILE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THE SAID EVERY THING CHECKS OUT OK, ITS JUST THE NATURE OF THIS BRAND OF CAR. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2005, fire
DT:THE CONTACT STATED CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THIS WAS NOT ARSON. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED EITHER BY THE DEALERSHIP OR INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK